bookbashuk Chapter 105 The Clown Who Jumps Over the Beams
Chapter 105 The Clown Who Jumps Over the Beams
Chapter 105 The Clown Who Jumps Over the Beams
Shen An left the inner courtyard and led out three of the largest and strongest Hequ horses from the stable. These horses possess both excellent endurance and explosive power, making them the perfect choice for long-distance runs.
Indeed, this time when he returned to Xiangtan, he did not choose the same boat he had taken on his previous trip.
They traveled downstream, setting off at dusk and arriving in Hengyang the following morning.
But this time, they were going upstream, and the swift current of the Xiang River would greatly slow the boat down, taking at least two days and one night. Time was the scarcest thing he had right now.
One person with three horses is the fastest option.
He rode one horse, while the heavy black iron sword was carried by another horse, with the other serving as a backup, ensuring that the horsepower would not be exhausted throughout the entire raid.
According to his estimate, starting from Hengyang city and heading north along the official road, traveling day and night, it would only take one day and one night to reach Xiangtan, that is, by tomorrow night.
If the messenger delivering the letter to Li Donglai is slow or experiences any delays along the way, Li Donglai might not even have had time to set off by the time I arrive.
Even if he's already gone, it doesn't matter.
Shen An told Feng Changrong that he would be back by the day after tomorrow at the latest. This meant that he only had one night to deal with all the potential troubles in Xiangtan.
Overnight, all the potential threats in a chaotic port city were wiped out—a feat that would sound like a fantasy to anyone.
What makes him think he can do it?
Very simple.
The business in Xiangtan and the relationship with Lu Lianrong were all real interests belonging to the Songshan faction.
Stendhal could scheme for or seize this credit, and the higher-ups in the sect might not care who would specifically distribute these benefits. They might even subtly encourage this kind of "healthy competition" among the disciples to unleash their potential.
However, Stendhal would never allow these interests to suffer any substantial damage.
Otherwise, as long as he has evidence to file a lawsuit, even if it only causes huge economic losses or damages the relationship with the Hengshan faction, it would be enough to make Stendar suffer a lot.
Therefore, the "chaos" created by Stendhal must have been within the scope that he could quickly control and profit from.
He will never attract any truly uncontrollable outsiders; he will only incite the local bullies.
Then, it's quite clear what he will do.
They spread rumors that Li Donglai had been transferred away and that Xiangtan's defenses were weak, inciting local gangs who had long harbored resentment towards them and the "Songyang" ship, and who also coveted the docks and commercial interests.
These gangs have limited strength and cannot become a major force. They can cause enough trouble for his own businesses, and make it convenient for him to "clean up the mess" afterward and pocket the credit.
As long as I arrive in Xiangtan before him and wipe out all the monsters and demons that have jumped out, this crisis can be easily resolved.
Shen An mounted his horse, gently spurring it on with his legs. The steed neighed softly, then its hooves flew off like an arrow, disappearing into the deep night. Two other horses followed closely behind, the three dark figures speeding away towards the city's outskirts.
The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone pavement, making a crisp "clatter-clatter" sound that carried far in the quiet night.
I had no choice but to become a will-o'-the-wisp.
Upon hearing the commotion, a squad of patrolmen responsible for enforcing the curfew rushed out from the street corner, torches in hand and knives at their waists.
The leader of the team had sharp eyes and was about to order an interception when his gaze swept over the place where the three figures had emerged: the Hundred Refinement Workshop.
His raised arm froze in mid-air for a moment, then he casually lowered it, waved to his men behind him, and said in a low voice, "You misread it, it's just Feng Sheng. Back to the party."
The men looked at each other, but dared not ask any questions. They could only follow the captain back into the darkness.
Everyone knows that the Hundred Refinements Workshop is owned by the Songshan Sect, and its owner, Young Master Shen, is someone even Liu Sanye of the Hengshan Sect treats with utmost respect. For ordinary people like them, it's best to pretend they didn't see such things in the martial world.
That night, in Xiangtan.
West of the city, the headquarters of the Blackwater Gang.
Under the dim light, the smell of alcohol mingled with the stench of sweat, making one want to vomit. A dozen or so shirtless men sat around a greasy, dark wooden table, noisily playing drinking games. The table was littered with cups and plates, but the atmosphere was not as lively as usual; instead, it was filled with a sense of oppressive restlessness.
Seated at the head of the table was Qian Sihai, the leader of the Blackwater Gang, nicknamed "The Eel Across the River." He was in his forties, with a build that—
He was tall, with a pair of triangular eyes that gleamed with shrewdness and ruthlessness.
At that moment, he was angrily gulping down a glass of wine, then slamming the bowl down on the table with a loud thud.
"Damn it! This is unbearable!" Qian Sihai spat and cursed, "Ever since that damn Songyang ship arrived, our Blackwater Gang's income this month isn't even half of what it used to be!"
The people around the table also stopped playing drinking games, each looking worried and sighing.
"Yes, Chief," complained a man with a scar on his face, "before, when we guarded the West Wharf, which merchant ship from out of town dared not pay the toll? Now look what's happened, they've all gone to do business with the Songyang! The manager of the Songyang, I don't know where this powerful outsider came from, not only doesn't pay his own toll, but he's also declaring that they'll guarantee the safety of all merchants who do business with them! Isn't this blatantly cutting off our livelihood?"
"That's not all!" another burly man with a pointed chin exclaimed shrilly. "A few days ago, I took my brothers to teach some ignorant cloth merchant a lesson, but the men from Songyang Company just charged out! I don't know how they got so much money, they were all carrying brand-new steel knives from Bailianfang, and they started fighting us without saying a word! A dozen or so of us couldn't even beat those five!"
"Honestly, can't you just be clear? We didn't know that the cloth merchant also did business with Songyang Company. Isn't he a rice and tea seller?"
Mentioning the Songyang ship made Qian Sihai's face even uglier.
His Blackwater Gang had been entrenched in the small town of Xicheng in Xiangtan for over a decade, making a living by collecting protection money at the docks and extorting passing merchants and travelers. Although they weren't extremely wealthy, they lived a carefree life.
But a month ago, the new "Songyang" ship was like a nail, firmly driven into his territory.
At first, he didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just another easy target from out of town, and he was even hoping to make a quick buck. But when he personally led his men to their door, not only did he not gain any advantage, but he was also beaten to a pulp by the other side.
What shocked him even more was that the person who finally stood up to support the "Songyang" was none other than Li Donglai, who was now the most famous person on the Xiangjiang River!
From that day on, Qian Sihai completely gave up on the idea. He couldn't afford to offend Li Donglai, this formidable figure.
What made him even more uneasy was that he also learned that the Songyang was undergoing a major construction project next to the dock, and was going to build several huge warehouses.
If they actually manage to build it, most merchants coming to Xiangtan will choose to store their goods there, as it's both safe and convenient.
By then, the meager profits he made from exploiting casual customers would be completely gone, and his Blackwater Gang would soon be on the verge of collapse.